Twelver Shi'ism

Adherents of Twelver Shī‘ism are commonly referred to as Twelvers , which is derived from their belief in twelve divinely ordained leaders, known as the Twelve Imāms and their belief that the Mahdi will be none other than the returned Twelfth Imam that disappeared and is believed by Twelvers to be in occulation. Approximately 85% of Shī‘a are Twelvers, and the term Shi'a Muslim as commonly used in English usually refers to Twelver Shī‘a Muslims only. Twelvers share many tenets of Shī‘ism with related sects, such as the belief in Imāms , but the Ismā‘īlī and Zaydī Shī‘ī sects each believe in a different number of Imāms and for the most part, a different path of succession regarding the Imāmate . They also differ in the role and overall definition of an Imām. The Twelver faith is predominantly found in Iran , Azerbaijan , Bahrain , Iraq , Lebanon , and Kuwait . It also forms a large minority in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia .

The term Twelver refers to its adherents' belief in twelve divinely ordained leaders, known as the Twelve Imams , and their belief that the last Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi , lives in occultation and will reappear as the promised Mahdi . Twelvers believe that the Twelve Imams are the spiritual and political successors to the Islamic prophet Muhammad . According to the theology of Twelvers , the Twelve Imams are exemplary human individuals who not only rule over the community in justice, but also are able to keep and interpret sharia and the esoteric meaning of the Quran . The words and deeds ( Sunnah ) of Muhammad and the Imams are a guide and model for the community to follow; as a result, Muhammad and the Imams must be free from error and sin, known as Ismah or infallibility, and must be chosen by divine decree, or nass , through Muhammad. Twelvers make majorities in Iran , Iraq , Azerbaijan and Bahrain ; a plurality in Lebanon ; and significant minorities in Kuwait , India , Bangladesh , Pakistan , Afghanistan , Kuwait , Qatar , UAE and Saudi Arabia . Smaller minorities also exist in Oman , Yemen , Egypt , and Uzbekistan . Twelvers share many tenets of Shia with related sects, such as the belief in Imams , but the Ismaili Shias believe in a different number of Imāms and, for the most part, a different path of succession regarding the Imamate . They also differ in the role and overall definition of an Imam. Twelvers are also distinguished from Ismailis by their belief in Muhammad's status as the "Seal of the Prophets" ( Khatam an-Nabiyyin ), in rejecting the possibility of abrogation of Sharia laws, and in considering both esoteric and exoteric aspects of the Quran. Alevis in Turkey and Albania and Alawis in Syria share belief in the Twelve Imams with Twelvers, but their theological doctrines are remarkably different. The Times of India .

Branch of Shia Islam Calligraphic representation of 12 Imams along with the name of the Prophet Muhammad. The term Twelver refers to its adherents' belief in twelve divinely ordained leaders, known as the Twelve Imams , and their belief that the last Imam, Imam al-Mahdi , lives in occultation and will reappear as the promised Mahdi . According to Shia tradition, the Mahdi's tenure will coincide with the Second Coming of Jesus , who is to assist the Mahdi against the Dajjal . Twelvers believe that the Twelve Imams are the spiritual and political successors to the Islamic prophet Muhammad . According to the theology of Twelvers , the Twelve Imams are exemplary human individuals who not only rule over the community with justice, but are also able to preserve and interpret sharia and the esoteric meaning of the Quran . The words and deeds ( Sunnah ) of Muhammad and the Imams are a guide and model for the community to follow; as a result, Muhammad and the Imams must be free from error and sin, a doctrine known as Ismah or infallibility, and must be chosen by divine decree, or nass , through Muhammad. Twelver Shiism is the largest branch of Shia Islam, with about 85% of all Shias, or approximately 150 to 200 million Twelver Shias. Twelvers make majorities among Shia Muslims in Iran , Azerbaijan , Iraq , Lebanon , Bahrain . Also, they make significant minorities in India , Pakistan , Afghanistan , Saudi Arabia , Bangladesh , Kuwait , Oman , UAE , Qatar , Nigeria , Chad , and Tanzania . Iran is the only country where Twelver Shiism is the state religion . Twelvers share many tenets of Shia with related sects, such as the belief in Imams , but the Ismaili Shias believe in a different number of Imams and, for the most part, a different path of succession regarding the Imamate . They also differ in the role and overall definition of an Imam. Twelvers are also distinguished from Ismailis by their belief in Muhammad's status as the "Seal of the Prophets" ( Khatam an-Nabiyyin ), in rejecting the possibility of abrogation of Sharia laws, and in considering both esoteric and exoteric aspects of the Quran. Alevis in Turkey and Albania , and Alawites in Syria and Lebanon , share belief in the Twelve Imams with Twelvers, but their theological doctrines are markedly different. ( help ) "Shia women too can initiate divorce" . The Times of India .

Branch of Shia Islam This article is about the predominant sect of Shia Islam. The term Twelver refers to its adherents' belief in twelve divinely ordained leaders, known as the Twelve Imams , and their belief that the last Imam, Imam al-Mahdi , lives in Occultation and will reappear as the promised Mahdi ( ). Twelvers believe that the Twelve Imams are the spiritual and political successors to the Islamic prophet Muhammad . According to the theology of Twelvers , the Twelve Imams are exemplary human individuals who not only rule over the Muslim community ( Ummah ) with justice, but are also able to preserve and interpret the Islamic law ( sharīʿa ) and the esoteric meaning of the Quran . The words and deeds ( sunnah ) of Muhammad and the Imams are a guide and model for the Muslim community to follow; as a result, Muhammad and the Imams must be free from error and sin, a doctrine known as Ismah or infallibility, and must be chosen by divine decree, or nass , through Muhammad. There are approximately 150 million to 200 million Twelvers in the world today, making the majority of the total populations of Iran , Iraq , Bahrain and Azerbaijan . Twelvers represent half of the Muslim population in Lebanon , and a sizable minority in India , Pakistan , Afghanistan , Saudi Arabia , Bangladesh , Kuwait , Oman , UAE , Qatar , Nigeria , Chad , and Tanzania . Iran is the only country where Twelver Shi'ism is the state religion . Twelvers share many tenets with other Shīʿīte sects, such as the belief in the Imamate , but the Ismāʿīlī and Nizārī branches believe in a different number of Imams and, for the most part, a different path of succession regarding the Imamate. They also differ in the role and overall definition of an Imam. Twelvers are also distinguished from Ismāʿīlīs by their belief in Muhammad's status as the "Seal of the Prophets" ( Khatam an-Nabiyyin ), in rejecting the possibility of abrogation of sharīʿa laws, and in considering both esoteric and exoteric aspects of the Quran. Alevis in Turkey and Albania , and Alawites in Syria and Lebanon , share belief in the Twelve Imams with Twelvers, but their theological doctrines are markedly different. Atlas of the Middle East (Second ed.). The Times of India . United States Department of State .

Branch of Shia Islam This article is about the predominant sect of Shia Islam. The term Twelver refers to its adherents' belief in twelve divinely ordained leaders, known as the Twelve Imams , and their belief that the last Imam, Imam al-Mahdi , lives in occultation ( ghayba ) and will reappear as "the awaited Mahdi " ( al-Mahdi al-muntazar ). Twelver Shi'as believe that the Twelve Imams are divinely appointed as both spiritual and political successors to the Islamic prophet Muhammad , and that they possess special knowledge and authority to guide the Muslim community. According to Twelver theology , the Twelve Imams are exemplary human individuals who rule over the Muslim community ( Ummah ) with justice, and are able to preserve and interpret the Islamic law (Sharia) and the esoteric meaning of the Qur'an . The words and deeds ( sunnah ) of Muhammad and the Imams are a guide and model for the Muslim community to follow. As a result, Muhammad and the Imams must be free from error and sin, a doctrine known as Ismah (literally 'protection') or infallibility, and must be chosen by divine decree, or nass , through Muhammad. Globally, there are about 160 million Twelvers: most of the inhabitants of Iran , Iraq , and Azerbaijan , and sizeable minorities in Bahrain , Lebanon , India , Pakistan , Afghanistan , Saudi Arabia , Bangladesh , Kuwait , Oman , UAE , Qatar . Iran is the only country where Twelver Shi'ism is the state religion . Twelvers share many tenets with other Shi'ite sects, such as the belief in the Imamate . The Isma'ili and Nizari branches believe in a different number of Imams and, for the most part, a different path of succession regarding the Imamate. They also differ in the role and overall definition of an Imam. Twelvers are also distinguished from Isma'ilis by their belief in Muhammad's status as the "Seal of the Prophets" ( Khatam an-Nabiyyin ), in rejecting the possibility of abrogation of Sharia laws, and in considering both esoteric and exoteric aspects of the Qur'an. Alevis in Turkey and Albania , and Alawites in Syria and Lebanon , share belief in the Twelve Imams with Twelvers, but their theological doctrines are markedly different. Atlas of the Middle East (second ed.). The Times of India . United States Department of State .